With his hands in his pockets, Rebus turned to face Cafertey. They were old men now, similar in build, similar in origin. If they were sitting together in a pub, a casual observer might mistake them for friends who had known each other since school. Their past, however, told a different story.
Retirement doesn’t suit John Rebus. He’s not made for hobbies and vacations. The work of a policeman runs through his veins. So when Inspector Siobhan Clarke asks for his help on a case, it doesn’t take him long to decide. Clarke is investigating the death of a high-profile lawyer, whose body was found alongside a threatening note.
On the other side of Edinburgh, Big Ger Cafertey – Rebus's old nemesis – has received an identical note and a bullet through his window. Now it’s up to Clarke and Rebus to connect the dots and stop the killer.
Meanwhile, Inspector Malcolm Fox is joining forces with a secret group from Glasgow that is monitoring a notorious crime family. They want something and will stop at nothing until they get it...
Ian Rankin brings back his most important characters in a story that explores the darkest corners of our instincts and desires. “Raw and tough, the work of an extraordinary writer.” Sunday Mirror
“Rankin sets up the plot of his thriller superbly, as always… Rebus remains an exceedingly familiar and captivating character.” Independent
